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games xtreme have posted a review of Alone in the Dark: The new Nightmare for the PC.

"Other great aspects of the game are the great effects that are present throughout, both graphically and sound. Lightning effects look and sound very realistic, combined with other effects that the developers have put together, the game provides a few subtle but very effective scares that will keep you on your toes. One of these is at the very beginning, you come across a gate early on and as you approach it lightning goes off, not content with that when it does and the screen flashes and you notice two figures standing behind your character, which I can tell you is quite scary."

This week's interview on EuroGamer is with one of the co-founders of British developer Firefly, taking a look at their medieval strategy game Stronghold.

"Stronghold is a unique cross between a city builder such as Caesar III and a real-time strategy game like Age of Empires. It incorporates much more building and community managing than a traditional RTS, yet allows for a more intense combat experience than city builders have featured in the past."

Tonight, Action Vault meets the President and CEO of Nexon USA, maker of Shattered Galaxy.

Shattered Galaxy Developer Profile: Scott LeeShattered Galaxy is a persistent online world with strategy, action and RPG elements. Today, as we continue our series of Shattered Galaxy Developer Profiles, we have the good fortune of meeting Scott Lee, the President and CEO of developer Nexon USA.

To kick start LANPartys Top Ten, the nutty phineas & Mickey Knox take a gander at what it takes to successfully convert a girlfriend to a gamer. After all, what could be better than having a girlfriend that likes to LAN?? Some girl gamers have mentioned that the ideas might be a bit buggey... but if they wasn't already a converts Knox would prevail, as always, due to their intoxicating obsession with boomsticks! Their attempts to divulge some of man's secrets to converting girls to gamers are by no means an easy task... but they do it well:

5) Show her what she can REALLY do with that kinda ping!

MK: What's your ping size again?

p: Huge. Absolutely enormous.

EDITOR'S NOTE: phineas is on a 28.8 kbps connection that tops out at about 19.2kbps.

MK: funny how that works... oh... yeah, that's right... you *ahem* connect with an RJ-11 cable... a LAN gives you RJ-45... there's some kind of complicated math in there that ... well... ah... uh... well... lets put it this way... real men LAN... and women like real men, right? So... move along, there's nothing to see here. These aren't the droids we're looking for. Move along now.

Internet Explorer 6 is the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer series & possibly the most controversial yet, offering numerous Privacy enhancements which have been to the disadvantage of many Advertising companies & the highly talked about Smart Tags. In our tweak guide, we will take you through all the options available to customize Internet Explorer 6 Preview to its fullest.

ELECTRONICS BOUTIQUE PREMIERS ALONE IN THE DARK: THE NEW NIGHTMARE FOR PC, PRIOR TO RETAIL RELEASE, EXCLUSIVELY ON EB1.COM

This Industry First, Online Premier, Powered by Into Networks Technology Available for a Limited Time only

What: For a limited time, the full, PC version of Alone In the Dark: The New Nightmare will be available as an Into Powered rental exclusively on EB1.com.

From now through 3:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, June 27, users can rent the title for $4.99 and play the game for 48 hours, before it hits the store shelves. Additionally, renters will receive a coupon from EB1offering them a $4.99 credit towards the purchase of the boxed version of the game from ebgames.com.

Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, published by Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM), continues the original survival-horror franchise with a pure blend of intense action and suspenseful adventure. Edward Carnby, the supernatural detective is back! And this time it's for revenge.

Why: The Premier of Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, is a milestone for the software industry - the first online release of a major title prior to traditional retail distribution.

This special offer demonstrates Electronics Boutique's (Nasdaq: ELBO) commitment to delivering the latest and hottest games to offer broadband customers secure access to software on a rental basis. This rental is made possible by Into Networks, whose content delivery platform enables software to run in real time over the Internet. The Into Media* platform offers Website publishers the advantage of quick, secure distribution of content without the constraints of physical goods. Using the IntoPlayer(tm), visitors are ensured the highest quality streaming experience without downloading or installing the software.

Who: Electronics Boutique is among the world's largest specialty retailers of video and computer games and also sells video game hardware, PC productivity software and accessories.

Into Networks powers streaming software over the Internet. The company's IntoMedia platform provides access to the best software titles for demonstration, rental or subscription without time- consuming downloads or installations.

Infogrames, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of video games for consoles (Sony, Sega, Nintendo, and Microsoft), personal computers and Macintosh systems.

The Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) presents The CPL 4-Year Anniversary Event, June 28th - July 1st, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Founded in 1997, the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL), and its divisions in Europe, Asia and South America, is the leading organizer of professional game tournaments and events, and has an estimated following of about 350,000 gamers worldwide, up from several hundred just a few years ago. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the CPL has created custom computer networks at local gaming competitions for more gamers than any other organization. Almost 900 computer gamers, representing 20 countries, have registered to attend this week's event.

The 4-Year Anniversary Event benefits the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (www.dcac.org). The DCAC, is a Dallas based, non-profit organization providing a child-friendly environment where law enforcement officials, district attorney's and caseworkers come together to provide needed services to children who have been physically or sexually abused. Currently, there are 48 active and developing centers across the US, providing services to 103 counties, and over 22,400 children each year.

"The Dallas Children's Advocacy Center is excited about our involvement with The CPL," says Nichole Nynas, Director of Development for the Advocacy Center. "It's perfect timing as the Center has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of children served and the severity of the cases we have seen since January. At this critical time, the support of the CPL is more important than ever. Proceeds from the Anniversary event will ensure that each child victim of abuse we serve will receive the investigative and therapeutic service they so desperately need." Ms. Nynas says.

"The CPL is committed to helping the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center," says Angel Munoz, Founder and President of the CPL. "We know that this is the beginning of a long term relationship and we hope that our involvement helps alleviate the afflictions of children that become the innocent victims of abuse," he says.

A check presentation sponsored by the CPL and GodGames (www.godgames.com) will take place on Sunday July 1st at 3:00 p.m. in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Dallas. The CPL event sponsors include: Logitech, Intel, Altec Lansing Technologies, ViewSonic, NETGEAR, Monster Cable, VisionTek, Bawls, Alienware and Immersion.

With the Ion Storm debacle looking like it is about to reach an end this summer, EuroGamer takes a look at the history of celebrity development studios and why so many of them have failed spectacularly. Ion Storm, Cavedog and Digital Anvil all come under the spotlight.

"Three high profile studios run by celebrity designers, all of them formed in the mid 1990s, and all of them bankrupt within five years. What went wrong?"

3D Spotlight´s brand new feature is now up, their pricing guide covering CPU, memory, videocard and motherboard prices is now up !Some of the lowest prices found this week include a 1GHz Athlon Tbird selling for only $97, and even more impressive the 1.2Ghz Athlon for $111.99. They also found a Visiontek GeForce 3 card for $351 and a Radeon All In Wonder card for $196.95.

A NEW PORTAL OPENS! ASHERON'S CALL: DARK MAJESTY EXPANSION PACK AVAILABLE THIS HOLIDAY

Microsoft today announced that The Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty Expansion Pack will be available this holiday at retail locations throughout North America. The first of its kind for the franchise, this expansion pack includes the original Asheron's Call as well as many new features and a compelling new landmass. Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty will be available at retail for only US$19.95 and will include one free month of play.

"Turbine is very excited about the Expansion Pack, and our continued relationship with Microsoft. The Asheron's Call franchise is a very important part of our company," noted Jeffrey Anderson, President and CEO of Turbine. "We are firmly committed to developing and delivering high-quality online entertainment."

The Expansion Pack delivers on new additions such as housing and storage, two of the features most requested by our customers. Players will be able to purchase their own homes on designated plots of land, as well as use their residence for secure storage purposes. The Expansion Pack also kicks off the next chapter in the ongoing Asheron's Call storyline by introducing the island of Marae Lassel. Marae Lassel is a sprawling new landmass which will contain new quests, dungeons, and treasures which will all be accessible to all levels of players who purchase the Asheron's Call Expansion Pack.

Asheron's Call: Dark Majesty builds upon the epic evolving storyline by paving the way for the return of an old nemesis. "We don't want to give everything away," says Nik Davidson, producer of the Expansion Pack, "but suffice to say that the name of the Expansion Pack is a big clue."

"Microsoft is making a significant investment in Asheron's Call with both the Expansion Pack and in the sequel to Asheron's Call which we announced earlier this year," explained Matthew Ford, Lead Program Manager for Asheron's Call.

Asheron's Call is a massively multiplayer role-playing game playable exclusively on Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/) that draws together thousands of players within a dynamic, 3-D online world. Players can create truly unique characters by choosing between extensive combinations of visual appearance, attributes and skill sets. Asheron's Call immerses players in an intense role-playing environment where they must compete or cooperate with thousands of other online players. An extensive system of allegiance and influence greatly enhances social interaction. The online nature of the game facilitates an evolving and dynamic adventure inside a consistent universe. The game will never be solved because there will always be more areas to explore and quests to complete.

I decided to write an article on team play. It's not really long enough to have its own "article" page, so I'm just going to post it here:

As many of you may have realized, a great portion of the gaming industry is heading towards the utilization of team play on the PC. If you have ever had the pleasure of playing a great team game, (especially on the Internet with other people) you probably had a great deal of fun.

First off, let's define what team play is: It's the collaboration between different people to successfully complete the task at hand. Tasks and how they are achieved is what makes the whole bookshelf of team games/mods worth playing. From "use the advantages of each class to wipe out the enemy", to "capture all of the command points in the correct order", team games have no limit. This is a genre in which games have expanded greatly over the recent years; particularly in the category of first person shooters. ...And they still have a massive amount of room to grow into ANY category you could possibly imagine (although I'd have to admit "Chef Chang's Team Cooking" would be kind of lame). Speaking of first person shooters, some of the more popular games/mods you may have played based on teams are Counter-Strike (for Half-Life), Team Fortress Classic (for Half-Life), Weapons Factory Arena or Quake 3 Fortress (for Quake 3 Arena), Starsiege: Tribes, and an heap of others. In many of these mods for games (such as Team Fortress Classic, Weapons Factory Arena, and Quake 3 Fortress) players are given the choice of a class. Each class has its ups and downs, but no team made up of all one class could easily complete the objective. It is the mixture of all the classes and binding all of their abilities together to make a strong team. Some classes are better than others for certain things. Sadly, some people set their priorities on themselves rather than the team. This is often the case in Team Fortress Classic (a game I have of which I have strong experience playing). For example, on a capture the flag map while playing TFC, some people will rush for the flag, get killed and drop it. But they will not send a message out to their team giving them the location of it. Instead they will zip out of their respawn in hopes of getting the flag themselves before anybody else on their team can get to it. Often, as a direct result of this behavior, the flag will sit there for a while, then be returned to the enemy's base where it is usually more heavily guarded. As for myself, I notify my team of the location of the flag so it can be picked up ASAP. Another tactic that I use in TFC to help out my team is play as a defensive medic. Most medics will play offense, (don't get me wrong, they're a great class for offense) but few play defense. Medics need to be in both places. I run around pumping up all of my defensive team members with health; as well as help take out the enemy when defenses are breached. My doing this results in a very crappy score for myself, but most of the time a great score for the team I'm playing for. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what matters.

All said and done, team games are, in my humble opinion, the best genre of games for the PC available to date. Although the people that play them can make them or break them; team games will always be my favorite type of PC entertainment for years to come. I give all of you team-players out there a big high-five. Play the game together, not by yourself. Don't compete with people on your team. And remember, if somebody is being selfish, screw them and move on. It's just a game and I'm sure there are plenty of other servers out there. Later everyone, I'm off to pump some people up with health.

The Emperor: Battle for Dune News page has word that another patch for the just-released RTS game is on the way, planned to bring the game up to version 1.07. The page offers a list of 10 fixes that will be provided by the patch that cover issues ranging from gameplay to the functionality of the chat lobby interface. According to the update, the patch should be expected sometime around the end of this week.

Haemimont Games has announced their first project, The Druid King. The game is an "isometric RTS that blends strategy, role-playing, and adventure elements". And as for Haemimont, as far as I know they're headed by some rather famous renegade developer. Can't remember which one right now, but I guess that's a good enough incentive to check this game out.

Mark H. Walker, LLC, announces the release of The Parent's Guide to PlayStation Games (Mars Publishing) for 2001, effective June 20, 2001. Completely covering both the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, the guide's 186 pages include an in-depth analysis of both consoles, a discussion of the Entertainment Software Review Board's rating system, and overviews of hundreds of current games -- pecifically written to explain to parents what the game is about, and for whom it is appropriate. The Parent's Guide to PlayStation Games is available in Wal-Mart, on Amazon.com, and at other fine bookstores.

Recently StrategyPlanet conducted an interview with Sai Wing Lai, the Director for Kingdom Under Fire at Phantagram to talk about the game and their plans for the future. Find out what he had to say here.

UKGamer.net has posted it's review of the racing game from Team17, Stunt GP.

"I found the graphics in Stunt GP to be very bland. They look crisp enough, pretty bright, and almost colourful, but there are no special effects of any kind to be seen - dynamic lighting, lens flare.. even things that basic aren't there. It's just bland in appearance. Of course the framerate stays high consistently because of this, so it's not ALL bad... but it's still not what you would expect from a modern title."

Last winter, action fans were treated to not one, but two old-world third person combat games: the medieval fantasy slasher, Blade of Darkness and the Norse-myth inspired Rune. In the works from Australian developer Auran is Excalibur, a new third person action game set in the mystical world of Arthurian legend.

In download page you'll find installation packages for Windows/Linux boxes. Release 2.0 Final package includes the TDK (Theme Development Kit) to create themes.To celebrate 1st year here at PlanetQuake and 2.0 final release they've decided to make public 1.42 release sources (was the last 1.X release). Go to download page in "Bonus Packs" section and grab it.

Here's the list of changes from last public:Changes from Pre-Final 2 (PF2):- Add: Gauge percentage. You can follow all stats creation via gauge.- Add: Support for themes: 7 themes available.- Add: Entry in gui to set stats output dir.- Add: Tutorial pages available via main stats page.- Mod: Squeezed HTML code down by 10-18 percent.- Mod: Now all logs are first copied in a temp dir and parsed there.- Mod: Rocket Arena 3 full functional.- Mod: In gui when you select to parse a single file or load a wtw datafile radio button on the left automatically changes scan mode.- Fix: OSP bug with fraglimit/capturelimit=0 and timelimit=0- Fix: Q3:TA and RA3 interferences.- Fix: Several bugs in Quake 3:Team Arena mod support- Fix: Bug in jpg conversion routine for map levelshots: all jpgs with names in uppercase are not properly converted.

Stomped's Vangie "Aurora" Beal has interviewed several members of the team at LippieSoft, the folks making the shooter, 3D World War II.

[Stomped] When can we expect to see the next public demo release?

[ Dennis Sloutsky] The next public demo will come out sometime this weekend, as the basis we will use beta v2.5 of the game (whilst v3.0 will be the final release version). After we'll accumulate all bug reports and fix them, we'll be able to start the private beta testing which we plan to have for at least three weeks. Then, when the game is fully finished, we will release public demo v 3.0 based on final code, maybe a day or two before the game hits stores.

"Chaos reigns supreme when the criminally insane are set upon the world to wage a battle of catharsis on wheels with the key to an un-tortured soul as the top prize. Definitely not a game for the little ones, Twisted Metal: Black dips deep into the serial killer ink and paints a grisly backdrop, frenetic and without reason, only to crush and blast it apart in a mindlessly fun demolition derby...."

This week's interview on EuroGamer is with Jason Bradbury, presenter and associate producer of a new computer games TV series called Mercenaries which is due to air in the UK starting in August. Each episode will see two teams going head to head in a military campaign using a variety of games such as Counter-Strike, Operation Flashpoint, Steel Beasts and EuroFighter Typhoon. Interested? Read the interview for more information! Meanwhile the developers and publishers of many of the games which are going to be used in the show have been getting in on the act. "Companies like Codemasters and Rage have even designed unique levels for our show. The industry is so willing to help - they put the TV lot to shame."

GameSpy has posted their review of Westwood Studios' RTS game, Emperor: Battle for Dune. The review covers a lengthy introductions and overviews on the single player game, multiplayer game, and more. Overall it scored a rating of 75.

Polycount has posted an interview with Paul McLaughlin of Lionhead Studios. In the interview Paul discusses Black & White and issues surrounding editing it. In this bit Paul answers a question on the possibility of gamers producing their own creatures:

It's a possibility and it's definitely something we'd like to do. At the moment we're working on various options to enhance the Black and White experience. One option is to release more content (which is in progress) the other is to release various tools with which the players can create their own content. The first of these tools will probably be a landscape/level editor but a creature editor would be our preferred second release. If anyone wanted to collaborate with us on this then I'm sure we'd be happy to help out. I'm not really the one to assist =at that level but I'm sure I can find someone and shake them into life.

Nival Interactive has launched the beta signups for their 3D strategy game, Etherlords. Nival says that the beta will kick off in early July -- the game is scheduled for a Q4 2001 release, which gives them enough time to stomp out any major bugs that turn up during the course of beta testing. Seating is limited so head on over and sign up.

Blizzard officially announced that the Diablo 2 Expansion: Lord of Destruction has gone gold. The press release states that the game should hit stores by June 29th, so if you've been eagerly waiting, that's when you'll want to check first :). Be sure to check out Blizzard.com because they've got some nice images up for the release. Scroll down to read the entire press release.

Blizzard is also selling Diablo 2 Tee-shirts for $14.95 at their online store.

IRVINE, Calif. - JUNE 21, 2001 - Blizzard Entertainment® announced today that Diablo® II: Lord of Destruction™, the vast new expansion set to the company's number-one selling Diablo II* series has gone gold. The expansion, with initial orders of 2 million copies, will be available at retail outlets worldwide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Korean, Japanese and Chinese language versions, on June 29, 2001. "We are delighted that Diablo II: Lord of Destruction is complete, stated Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment president and co-founder, "We have worked very hard on increasing the gameplay and depth of Diablo II with this expansion and are quite proud of our accomplishments. With the addition of new character classes and areas to explore, we believe we have created a truly compelling product that will appeal to both avid Diablo players and novice gamers alike." In Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, players travel to the Barbarian Highlands of the North in pursuit of Baal, the last surviving Prime Evil. Traveling with a horrific army of demonic minions, Baal plots to corrupt the powerful Worldstone that protects the whole of the mortal plane from the forces of Hell, thus damning the world for all eternity. Key features of the expansion include two new character classes, the Assassin and the Druid, each equipped with 30 unique skills and spells. Players will also enjoy the opportunity to take their favorite Diablo II characters on the new quests found in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. A new Act set in the Barbarian Highlands, complete with 6 new quests and hours of further challenges, unfolds as players strive to stop Baal and his followers from destroying the world. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction also features support for 800x600 resolution, giving the player a larger field of view and superlative graphic detail. To aid players in combat, thousands of new weapons, armor and magical items, including class-specific, crafted items, Rune Words and Elite Unique items have also been included. To secure these new armaments, the amount of storage space in the player's private stash has also been doubled, giving them the ability to maintain a much greater supply of items. Adding to the gameplay experience is an extensive list of over 50 new monster classes, with 7 innovative boss monsters. Single-player, multiplayer TCP/IP and Battle.net Realm games are supported. Debuting in June, 2000 Diablo II has dominated PC game charts with sales of 4 million copies worldwide according to PC Data and key retail accounts around the world. The game has also been awarded several accolades including the prestigious Computer Game of the Year, Computer Role Playing Game of the Year and Game of the Year for 2001 by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. When the original Diablo released in 1997, it was considered a critical success and reached number one on PC Data during its first month in stores. The game has sold in excess of 2.5 million copies worldwide and was honored as the number-one selling computer role-playing game in 1997 as well as named Game of the Year by Computer Gaming World. Diablo II: Lord of Destruction was developed by the Blizzard North design team and will support Windows®95/98/2000/XP/NT and Macintosh® formats. The hybrid Macintosh format will be available on June 29, 2001 in English and Japanese language versions. A retail copy of Diablo II is required to play Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. Available at most computer and software retail chains worldwide, the expansion set will sell for approximately $35. The game will also be offered directly from Blizzard at (800) 953-SNOW and www.blizzard.com. The game has received a Mature rating from the ESRB. Best known for blockbuster hits including the Warcraft® series, StarCraft® and Diablo™ series, Blizzard Entertainment® (www.blizzard.com), (a division of Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing) is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard's track record includes four consecutive number-one selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's free Internet gaming service Battle.net® reigns as the largest in the world with millions of active users. *PC Data June-August 2000

A new gamecube hit is in the making. This game is called Super Smash Brothers Melee. If any of you have a n64 then you would know the prequel, super smash brothers. I think I can speak for everyone when I say the game was horrible, gameplay only lasted for a couple of minutes. Well, from other sources I have heard that nintendo has gotten its act together to make one of the best graphical and gameplay fighter game for the gamecube. You can access one of your favorite nintendo characters *cough*Link*cough* and use there abilities to fight other nintendo characters. I know a perfect matchup in my mind (pikachu vs link), heh. Anyways, look for some serious changes in this sequel for the Nintendo Gamecube, this game looks like alot of fun.

- SimHQ.com Preview: Bubba takes a look ahead at Matrox's latest offering. The company has produced some of the best 2D cards on the market, but will the G550 have any place in the simming PC? Bubba starts to detail what makes the G550 tick.

Cermak: We have designed the AI with innate behavior that will allow it to react to its environment (seeing the enemy as well as hearing sounds of bullets, movement, yells of other AI, shelling, etc.) We have different levels of AI grunt, officer, Special Forces, boss, etc., each with a different level of hearing, sound generation (to bring the other AI) and range of reaction. The AI is able to use the surrounding environment for cover and will switch position based on how the battle is progressing. We also have additional modes that we can set the AI into, such as defensive, aggressive attack, sniper mode, etc.

IS THERE A PROGRAMMER INSIDE OF YOU DYING TO GET OUT?Monolith to Release The Operative: No One Lives Forever Source Code

Bellevue, WA - June 20, 2001 - Monolith Productions(tm), developers of the award-winning PC game The Operative(tm): No One Lives Forever(tm) (NOLF), today announced the release of the source code for NOLF version 1.003. This release is part of an effort to support the fan base by offering the tools to create their own levels and keep them current with the code base Monolith is using to author its latest reations. The source code will be available for download at www.noonelivesforever.com along with instructions and requirements.

"Being a gamer myself I recognize the importance of the online community and what it means to the continued success of a gaming franchise. Simplyput, fans rule the gaming world and they are the ones that help drive us to make better games," said Chris Miller, producer for Fox Interactive. "After hearing the continued request for source code on the newsgroups, Monolith and Fox got together to give the fans exactly what they are looking for."

Speedy 3D has just posted a massive update to their case mod resource center. it now has over 550 indexed links (which took forever to do:) to things such as case reviews, modding tools, and more. In this update they went all out and created something reminiscent of a search engine portal for case mods - even adding the ability for people to rate the articles on a scale of 1-10. Anyhow, this is definitely worth checking out:

Eurogamer recently got a press demo of Echelon from publisher Akaei, and today on EuroGamer is a brief hands-on preview giving our first impressions of this early version of the game. Included are two new screenshots we snapped from the build.

"Overall the graphics are eye-catching even at this early stage. Vast open terrain stretches off into the distance, with the fractal landscape giving the game a truly alien feel. Explosions are another high point, with destroyed vehicles splitting into several smaller pieces that streak off through the misty sky trailing smoke and debris like something out of Deep Impact."

You can never, EVER take gaming too far. Have you ever looked at a game, and said "you know, I wish my life were like that"? Now your dreams can come true. CitizenC & StoneWolf are back with the Top 10 Ways To Make Your Life Like A Game. It's lots of fun -- breaking and entering, assault and battery, and more await inside!

Zeus Official Expansion: Poseidon Surfaces on Store Shelves Impressions Games' Add-On Immerses Gamers in the World of Atlantis

CAMBRIDGE, MA (June 20, 2001) - Impressions Games(tm) and Sierra(tm) today announced that Zeus(tm) Official Expansion: Poseidon(tm), the add-on for their city-building hit: Zeus(tm): Master of Olympus(tm) has shipped to stores nationwide. The game takes place in the world of Atlantis, ruled by Poseidon, brother to mighty Zeus.

Poseidon expands the scope of Impressions Games' city-building hit, Zeus: Master of Olympus to cover more of the ancient world. In Poseidon, players build and rule the fabled cities of Atlantis, a kingdom of science and technology. They mine the mysterious mineral "orichalc," establish colonies in ancient Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia, and trade with ancient civilizations. New industries, massive monuments, and characters unique to Atlantis expand the city-building experience presented in Zeus: Master of Olympus. Never-before seen gods, monsters, and heroes help tell the tale as players build Atlantis into a mighty kingdom. Players can also create their own adventures in Greece or Atlantis with a powerful, yet easy-to-use Adventure Editor.

Designed with strategy gamers of all skill levels in mind, Zeus: Master of Olympus makes it simple to get a city built and running smoothly. But running the city is only a part of mastering the game. Players have tocontend with driven deities who can appear in the city to cause happiness or havoc. Famous heroes wander the countryside, and can be summoned when their help is needed. Players must defend their cities from hostile invaders, monsters, and other Greek cities. Mixing the historical with the mythological, Zeus is divided into quests and objectives that can becompleted in about an hour, making it the ideal diversion for both moderate gamers and hardcore strategists alike.

ABOUT IMPRESSIONS GAMESImpressions Games has been a leading developer of strategy games for over ten years, with offices in Cambridge, MA. Impressions Games has created some of the most innovative, best-selling titles in the interactive entertainment industry, including the Lords of the Realm( series, Lords of Magic(, Robert E. Lee: Civil War General(, Civil War Generals 2: Grant, Lee, Sherman(, and the Impressions' City Building Series(tm) which is comprised of the Caesar(tm) line of games, Pharaoh(tm), Pharaoh Official Expansion: Cleopatra(tm), Zeus(tm): Master of Olympus(tm), and now Poseidon(tm). More information can be found at http://www.impressionsgames.com.

Black Isle Studios has announced that its latest role-playing game expansion, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal, has shipped and will soon be in stores. The expansion adds a number of new features to the popular Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. I suggest all RPG fans make plans to head down to their local store :).

The Siege of Avalon website has been updated with a new schedule. now the Final Chapter for this episodic Role Playing Game is slated for release on the 26'th of June. More details will be posted up as they come to light.

Using the Monolith's LithTech engine, Legends of Might and Magic is a first-person, team-based online multiplayer game, designed by New World Computing. This highly anticipated game will be appearing in stores, within the next few days. For more details head over to http://www.3do.com/

MILFORD, Pa., June 19, 2001 - Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc., the leading developer of multimedia audio systems for the retail and OEM markets, today signed on as official league sponsor of the Cyberathlete Professional League(CPL). As sponsor of the league, Altec Lansing is the official speaker and headset provider for upcoming CPL 2001 tournaments including the Four-Year Anniversary tournament in June and World Championships in December. Additionally, the CPL has named the Altec Lansing ADA890 the official speaker system of the league.

"We are very excited to have Altec Lansing as part of the CPL family," said Angel Munoz, founder of the CPL. "After testing audio systems from a variety of manufacturers, the CPL has chosen the Altec ADA890 for its superior sound quality, and ability to deliver the best audio experience for gamers."

"Altec Lansing recognizes the importance of the gaming community and is happy to support the CPL in creating a new breed of sporting event surrounding video games," said Jim Pedranti, VP Channel Sales for Altec Lansing. "We know how important quality audio is to the gaming experience and are proud to offer the gaming community high performance home audio technology for the best gaming audio experience.

Founded in 1997, the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL), and its divisions in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America, is the leading organizer of professional game tournaments and events, and has an estimated following of about 350,000 gamers worldwide, up from several hundred just a few years ago. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the CPL has created custom computer networks at local gaming competitions for more gamers than any other organization. The CPL events are widely covered via newspaper articles, radio, magazine features, television reports and documentaries.

Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc., based in Milford, PA, USA, is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and support of high performance multimedia personal computer and home entertainment sound systems, and a line of headsets, headphones and microphones for personal digital media. The company employs about 1,500 people worldwide.

EuroGamer dropped Editor-in-Chief John "Gestalt" Byebehind enemy lines with an M21 sniper rifle to investigate Czech developer Bohemia Interactive's Cold War combat game, Operation Flashpoint. To see what he discovered, read our full report - the web's first comprehensive review of the game.

"Over the course of the game's lengthy single player campaign you will spend most of your time as a grunt called Armstrong, gradually rising through the ranks until you have command of your own squad, able to give orders to your fellow soldiers and select equipment load-outs before missions. But you will also get to take on the role of an elite special forces soldier going behind enemy lines to steal documents and weaken defences, a rookie pilot flying close air support missions in A-10 tank busters and helicopter gunships, and a trainee tank commander battling against Soviet armour."

Sega has announced that the "Dreamcast Map-Pack" for Quake III Arena is now available. Allowing PC owners to finally play Quake III Arena online against Dreamcast Q3A owners. The "Dreamcast Map Pack" includes maps formerly exclusive to the Dreamcast version of the game, and enables Windows, Macintosh* and Linux gamers to play in the new environments against Dreamcast gamers online. The pack also includes alternate versions of non-exclusive popular favorites, and the new maps are playable in several different QUAKE III Arena play modes.

In order to play against Dreamcast gamers online, PC users must have a 1.16n or lower version of QUAKE III Arena available, and use GameSpy 3D or PingTool to browse the Sega Dreamcast servers.Full Details (including how to download the file) can be found on Evil Avatar.com

MSN Zone.com Kicks Off Its New Celebrity-Based Online Game Show With a Host of Greats: Bob Eubanks, Monty Hall and Wink Martindale

Together on one stage for the first time, legendary game-show hosts Bob Eubanks, Monty Hall and Wink Martindale appeared at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum today to help Microsoft Corp.'s MSN® games site officially "turn on" its hot new online game show Microsoft® "OutSmart," played exclusively at Zone.com.

Developed for Microsoft by Jellyvision Inc., "OutSmart," a free* interactive celebrity-based game show, incorporates real celebrity audio into gameplay, creating the first online game in which players can hear and directly compete against their favorite stars and attempt to beat them at their own fame. A bimonthly trivia challenge, "OutSmart" is designed to intrigue fans and provide them with a new way to interact with actors, musicians, athletes and other celebrities. "OutSmart" is available exclusively on Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/outsmart/).

"'OutSmart' is a new way for me to interact directly with my fans and let them see another side of me," said double-platinum hip-hop star Sisqo, one of three "OutSmart" celebrity challengers announced today by Microsoft.

Soon "OutSmart" will feature Grammy award-winning reggae musician Shaggy, as well as R&B singer Mya, a featured performer in the blockbuster single "Lady Marmalade," the current No. 1 song in America, according to Billboard's Hot 100 Singles. The Shaggy episode is available today, with additional games coming online every two weeks. The pilot episode of "OutSmart" debuted in May and featured TV vixen and top cyber-celeb Jessica Alba; it is still available online in the OutSmart Gallery.

In a reversal of roles, the famous hosts found themselves acting as contestants in segments of the first two "OutSmart" episodes. They not only played the game; they also jovially provided "OutSmart"'s host, Tim Parker, with advice on how to be a great game-show host. The legends imparted tips on everything from how to kiss the girls to preferred brands of hairspray and teeth whitener.

"'OutSmart' is the next evolutionary step in the game-show arena, combining the popularity of game shows, the interactivity of the Internet, and our culture's fascination with celebrities," said Chris Di Cesare, group product manager of Online Games and executive producer of "OutSmart" at Microsoft, "which makes today, with Bob, Monty and Wink, somewhat like the passing of the torch - or in this case, the microphone."

The game starts with "OutSmart" host Parker making quick player introductions and catching everyone up on the latest Hollywood gossip. Online contestants and the celebrity challenger then begin the game with a series of multiple-choice questions related to the celebrity's career. Celebrity confidence can sometimes fool contestants, but the stars don't always know the answer. Players who believe the celebrity's response is wrong can attempt an "OutSmart" and gain extra points by providing the correct answer. Wrong answers usually trigger a little ribbing from the star.

"OutSmart" also tests players' speed and knowledge about entertainment, music and pop-culture history with an electronic version of six degrees of celebrity separation. Correct answers connect the celebrity to another well-known cultural icon in six moves. In today's episode, contestants must link pop star Shaggy to the cartoon character of the same name, Scooby Doo's crime-fighting sidekick.

America's fascination with game shows, from their radio debut in 1936 to their everyday accessibility on the Internet in the early 1990s, has lasted more than 60 years. Audiences are embracing the Internet as an entertainment medium and are hungry for fresh ways to interact with their favorite celebrities. When the "OutSmart" pilot episode premiered in May 2001 it was an instant success with the casual online gaming audience, attracting 1.5 million players in the first three weeks. To play, fans simply log on to Zone.com and click on "OutSmart." No registration is required.

Developed for Microsoft by Jellyvision Inc., creators of the popular game "You Don't Know Jack," "OutSmart" complements the Zone's updated look and feel, which resulted from the overwhelming popularity of recent casual, single-player game additions to the Zone. Currently ranked as one of the Web's favorite online gaming sites, the Zone has more than 20 million members and thousands of Internet visitors daily, many of whom are looking for quick and easy access to free* games online. Innovative new games such as "OutSmart" and the site's revamped design demonstrate the Zone's continued leadership in the online gaming industry.

In StrategyPlanet's latest Point~ Counter-Point Article, it is debated which is more appropriate for the Strategy Genre, 2D or 3D. If you want to check it out, go here. One major issue is the inability of current day graphics capabilities to render masses of 3D units, limiting the number of units under the guise of gameplay.

At E3, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that Funcom is already working on its second persistent online world project. Entitled Midgard, it will be based on Norse history and mythology, themes that are obviously very close to the developers. We followed up and obtained an informative Midgard Interview with Game Director Ragnar Tørnquist.

The greatly anticipated dreamcast game, Sonic Adventure 2, came out today. Although I have yet to play it, I have heard many reports of this game being an instant hit. As most of you dreamcast gamers know, sonic adventure 1 was a great game...Well 4 out 5 people think sonic 2 doubles the fun as the last one. Sonic Adventure 2 returns the little adorable chao system, a creature raising type simulation, and this type the system is much more developed. And also, sonic 2 is the first sonic game to let you play as a bad guy. Not only can you play as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles but you can play as 3 evil characters: Shadow (black hedgehog), Dr. Robotnik, and Rogue. This game also features a 2 player mode. I am looking forward to eventually making a review for this game, it looks great.

Simply connect to Battle.net to download the patch. If you have trouble patching from Battle.net, you can also download it here. For more information on the Patch go here. Please also read the Patch 1.08 F.A.Q.

I was glancing around for news and happened to fall upon a site for a new Quake 3 mod called "Urban Terror." It looks like it is pretty cool, naming itself a "total conversion" for Quake 3, but the site has plenty of information, including screenshots, story line, and player models.

GameSpy Industries Completes Acquisition of MplayerSuccessful Merger of Two Leading Online Games Companies Transforms How Games Are Made, Marketed and Played GameSpy Industries Successfully Incorporates Mplayer, Poising the Company for Continued LeadershipIRVINE, Calif., June 18 -- GameSpy Industries, , today announced the completion of its acquisition and integration of the popular award-winning Mplayer online games service. The company acquired Mplayer in January of 2001, and has now fully merged staff as well as their respective online games services, Mplayer.com and GameSpy Arcade. The acquisition, which cements GameSpy'sposition as a powerhouse in the online games space, allows GameSpy to revolutionize the games industry at several levels, transforming how games are made, marketed and played. Through the acquisition, GameSpy acquired a strong management team that is credited with revolutionizing the online games industry with the decision to move Mplayer from a subscription service to an advertising-supported business, allowing millions of people around the world access to FREE games and entertainment over the Internet. The combined team, led by Chief Operating Officer Chris Early, has been instrumental in managing the transition plan for the various Mplayer properties and relationships, in addition to other assets of the business. Furthermore, they have put into place new plans for strategic growth and new products that will make it possible for partner companies to exploit GameSpy's many years of experience in the online games industry. The combined company has also completed the merger of its two respective consumer online games services, Mplayer and GameSpy Arcade. The new and improved service, operating under the GameSpy Arcade name, is the leading online multiplayer game service, delivering superior online gaming experiences to millions of gamers around the world, free of charge. Immensely popular, the new service already boasts more than one million new software installations. In another impressive joint effort, the combined team launched GameSpy.net, a suite of tools and infrastructure that enables game developers and publishers, as well as media delivery giants such as GameSpy partner, RealNetworks, to save development time and money. These toolkits address common online and multiplayer game development issues -- rather than building these components from scratch, partners can simply rely on the GameSpy.net affordable, easy-to-integrate, cross-platform toolkits. ``The Mplayer acquisition cemented our leadership in the online games industry,'' explained Mark Surfas, president and CEO of GameSpy, ``We have combined the creative forces behind both staffs, and the results have been phenomenal: In six months we have launched an incredible suite of infrastructure and tools for developers and publishers and created one of the most popular online games services in the world. These coups are just the tip of the iceberg -- our next six months should be equally ground-breaking!''

MICROSOFT "TRAIN SIMULATOR" RIDES THE RAILS OF REALISM, CAPTURING THE CHALLENGE AND ROMANCE OF RAILROADING

Six Famous Train Routes, 600 Miles of Rail, Authentic Sights and Sounds Create Unparalleled Experience

REDMOND, Wash. -- June 18, 2001 -- When Johnny Cash sang "I hear the train a-comin', it's rolling 'round the bend," he likely could not have imagined that 45 years later, his senses might have been confused by another machine -- powered not by steam or coal, but by a computer. Microsoft Corp. today announced that its latest PC game, Microsoft® "Train Simulator," a product delivering the sights and sounds of famous trains past and present, is rollin' onto store shelves.

According to the National Model Railroad Association, there are over 1 million model railroad enthusiasts in the United States, and approximately 1.5 million domestic freight and passenger rail cars in operation today. Now Microsoft "Train Simulator" will give enthusiasts the opportunity to climb into the cab of a realistically detailed locomotive, with accurate, fully functional gauges and working controls.

"Microsoft has over 20 years' experience building the best PC-based flight simulation products in the market, and we were committed to ensuring that Microsoft 'Train Simulator' meets the same exacting standards of quality and realism," said Stuart Moulder, general manager for the PC Games Division at Microsoft. "While appealing to the existing core market, we are confident that Microsoft 'Train Simulator' will also inspire a whole new generation of train enthusiasts."

That sentiment is echoed by Richard Russack, vice president of corporate relations for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Corp., one of Microsoft's railroad partners in the project. "BNSF is especially pleased to partner with Microsoft to give everyone the opportunity to become an engineer and experience the challenge and thrill of driving one of our freight trains through the Rocky Mountains in Montana," Russack said.

Featured trains include the following:

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Players can visit the Austrian Alps in the 1920s, from Innsbruck to St. Anton, for the ultimate in romantic European steam train travel. The Flying Scotsman. Enthusiasts can race along some of England's most beautiful countryside in the 1920s, from Settle to Carlisle, in what was once the world's fastest steam locomotive. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. Users can experience the challenges and awesome power of moving modern-day freight over Marias Pass in Montana -- a vital East-West freight link across the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Amtrak Acela. Gamers can run the busy U.S. Northeast Corridor from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia with Amtrak's new high-speed bullet train. Odakyu Railway Co. Players can navigate one of the busiest commuter lines from Tokyo or take in the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Fuji traveling to the famous Hakone Hot Springs. Kyushu Railway Co. Enthusiasts can explore the mountainous Hisatsu line on Japan's southern island of Kyushu with a challenging switchback system and loop.As the engineer, players are in charge of the regulator on a steam engine or the air brake system on a modern diesel, working to safely meet the schedule come rain, snow or shine. Players travel busy urban corridors and treacherous mountain passes, facing scenarios that demand engineering skills. In addition to the realism of the fabled trains themselves -- including the distinctive sounds of whistles, brakes and tracks -- Microsoft "Train Simulator" recreates more than 600 miles of rail to mirror the real-world scenery, industry and towns along these routes.

For nearly 200 years, since the advent of the Industrial Revolution, railroads have captured the hearts and minds of millions. The magic and mystique surrounding passenger and freight trains have become emotionally ingrained in cultures around the world. They touch history buffs, who identify places or eras that the railroads helped create and shape; engineering aficionados, who marvel at the technology, from the earliest coal-burners to the most modern commuter lines; and even bystanders who enjoy the awesome shaking of the earth as 12,000 tons of steel rumbles by at more than 60 mph. Whatever the reason, trains continue to inspire people across all cultures, countries and ages.

The web site for the national newspaper USAToday has posted up an article in today's print edition that has a profile on Toby Gard, the creator of the original Tomb Raider game for Core Design. The article talks about Gard's feelings of seeing the game series and its main character Lara Croft become household names and becoming hugely profitable without him receiving any of the profits or glory. It also talks about his upcoming action-adventure game Galleon. There is also a side-bar to the article which talks briefly about Eidos's plans for the next Lara Croft game.

TeamXbox.com has posted a new interview with Microsoft's Ed Fries as the Vice President of Games Publishing for Microsoft talks about Xbox stuff. The interview was conducted at E3 last month. Here is an interesting snip with hints about Xbox games to come:

We have 45 first party Xbox projects in full production around the world today and about 20 more in discussion of which we've talked about maybe a dozen publicly. If you liked what you heard about Peter Molyneaux's Project Ego, wait til you see the other game we are developing with him. We announced a Bruce Lee game but you haven't seen it yet. We announced our relationship with Steven Spielberg and his upcoming movie AI but you haven't seen those games yet. We announced we are working exclusively with Tim Schafer, creator of Grim Fandango. His project is going to blow your mind. We are working with Larry Holland (Xwing-vs-Tie Fighter). You've only seen one of the Bungie games. You haven't seen anything based on our Madness franchise yet, anything based on Mechwarrior, Crimson Skies, etc etc. I could go on and on but the marketing group would shoot me. You have only seen the very tip of the iceberg, and of course I'm only talking first party here.

Hothouse Creations has released a patch for Gangsters 2: Vendetta for download from their ftp server, bringing their new mobster management strategy game to version 1.05. The patch comes in English, German, French and Italian editions, all clocking in at 6.6 MB. The patch fixes various hardware and sound problems, including a bug where EAX sound wouldn't work and the game not auto-running on some CD drives.

Well, not really. =] So, why did WarCraft Adventures never see the light of day? WarCraft III Network tries to give an answer in this article - WarCraft Adventures: The Game That Never Was. Is it possible that the game wasn't up to Blizzard's standards?

q3arena.gry.wp.pl posted an interview with Sean 'Cache' Shelton, dubbing it "Cache - creator & redactor of the Cached.net". In the interview they talked the past and future of one of the communities favorite esports publications on the net. Also an interesting note on the crash of the online ad market, making things very difficult for many online publications around (Gamefan, Barrysworld etc).

How does it feel to be the boss of one of the best sites about fps in the world?

Cache: It feels 1 year and 6 months too late! The ad deals are very bad and I could have been paid in full. One of my milestones was to be able to move or at least go on vacation to Hawaii for about a month and do updates when I wasnt surfing or hanging out at the beach. There were about 2 months when I could have actually took that vacation off compensation for the site. The first time, I used the funds to go to Frag 4, but the second time I never got paid because the ad company went under and never coughed up the cash.

The public's view of game development is usually at a fairly conceptual level, but as Lead Designer, Black Isle's Dave Maldonado is well aware of the details and specifics. In his new Black Isle Studios: TORN Designer Diary, Chapter 6, he talks about some of the particulars the team is working on now and introduces some temporary additions who are helping out.

With Throne of Bhaal having gone gold, the story arc that has enthralled millions through two huge games and a prior add-on will soon reach its conclusion. In celebration, we present a Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Gold Gallery with a dozen new screenshots, all from the Watcher's Keep area.

Today's review on EuroGamer is the recently released Half-Life: Blue Shift addon. Unfortunately for fans of the series, it doesn't live up to its billing, offering only a modicum of the action and adventure Half-Life and to a lesser extent Opposing Force did. Thanks to the the lackluster weapon models and Blue Shift's complete reliance on scripted marine sequences to stimulate the player, it suffers greatly.

"Calhoun’s journey starts in a Sector G lift with a couple of stroppy scientists complaining about his workrate. It’s during this journey into the depths of Black Mesa that Freeman and his collaborators cause the infamous resonance cascade scenario which plunges the facility into all out conflict. Calhoun faces plenty of interesting puzzles in his attempts to escape, starting with some cunning lift/box placing platform antics and moving on to scripted sequences that depend on destructible scenery and the marine insertion force. In all, it’snothing Opposing Force didn’t do, but there are some nice touches here and there, and the interaction with scientists (and the need to keep them alive) is a much higher priority."

I got a gameboy advance the first day it came out, and let me tell you that it went above my expectations. The controls and the feel of it just seem right, and the graphics are awesome for something that small. When I first got it I wondered if anything was in the box because its sooo small. The only thing that bothered me was the lighting issue, so I just bought a "worm" light to fix that problem. I got the game Dodge Ball advance for the system and the multiplayer for that game is unbelievable, although the single player isnt quite the same. But I highly recommend getting the gameboy advance, its a worthy investment.

Q. TorQue[MoD]: My question is not so Blue Shift related, but seeing as how you've now told the story from a Scientist's point of view, a Grunts point of view and a Guard's point of view, are you considering an expansion from the Alien's point of view. I don't know about you, but Every Half-Life fan including myself would go nuts to play as an Alien Slave.

A. Randy Pitchford: Your wish is coming true. Exclusive to the Playstation 2 version of Half-Life is a bonus mode that can be unlocked that will allow people to play the game as an alien Slave - complete with custom attacks and a very strange perspective of the world. It's very cool and will finally give Half-Life fans that wild perspective of things. The PS2 version of Half-Life will be coming out later this year.

The Version 1.11 patch for World War II Online is now available. This latest update contains a revamped settings file with three new options, a fix for a Win95 problem that caused the intro movies not to play, a joystick error and more.

18-25 June 2001 - Contest!We will have a second contest under this period, 18-25 June 2001 that is. Sometime during that week, we will do a secret update of the Project Entropia site that we won't announce. We will not say on what day or where on the site, but we can say that you will find it rather easy.

There will be 10 prizes in this contest:First Prize: One beta-test account in our upcoming beta-test, Observe that you still have to register at http://www.project-entropia.com/betatest/apply.asp?topic=betatest to be able to receive a beta-account prize. This is not all. You can also, upon the account, win a Project-Entropia T-shirt plus posters.

CONQUER THE WORLD AND WIN $50,000 IN THE AGE OF EMPIRES II: THE CONQUERORS INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Microsoft today announced the debut of the Age of Empires II: The Conquerors International Tournament, which will award $50,000 to the player who emerges victorious in a glorious battle for world supremacy. Over fifteen countries will hold individual tournaments via the MSN Gaming Zone, LAN events, or local partners mid-July through September 28, 2001, to crown a national champion who will receive prize money and represent their country in the world finals. This would-be-conqueror will be sent to compete in the world finals in Redmond, Washington on October 24, 2001, which will be hosted by the legendary game designer Bruce Shelley, among others.

More details, including the official rules and sign-up information for each country, will be available next month.

Age of Empires is one of the most successful strategy game franchises in history, having sold over eight million units worldwide. The series has received numerous awards including AIAS Strategy Game of the Year awards for Age of Empires, Age of Empires II: Age of Kings, and The Conquerors Expansion; as well as the prestigious AIAS PC Game of the Year for Age of Empires II: Age of Kings. Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion challenges gamers to wage war on an epic scale with all-new civilizations, unique units and technologies, and campaigns based on infamous conquerors such as Attila the Hun, El Cid and Montezuma.

PlanetAnachronox has just gotten an email from Tom Hall himself informing us that Anachronox has GONE GOLD!!! Anachronox is the fully 3D RPG which has been developed by ION Storm under the lead of Tom Hall. Here are the words from the master himself:

You are the first press person to know. :))))

We are taking the weekend off ... then working on a demo, and a few cool improvements we didn't have time to get in before the deadline. :)) Both should be ready by the time Anachronox hits the shelves, the last week of this month.Links:

"BWVortex is released!This new program of the day allows users to control what comes out of the vortex between levels, very helpful for tough levels like land 3 and 5! BWVortex is for immediate download in the Utilities section.

Do-gooders beware, BWVortex is considered a cheating program. Don't use it unless you have completed the game by yourself or risk spoiling the game!"

Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal PreviewVery shortly, BioWare's Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal expansion pack will close the epic story arc that has enthralled legions of fans through two huge games. Based on about 25 hours of playing time with a pre-release build, our Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Preview offers a hands-on look ahead liberally illustrated with 12 new screenshots.

Microsoft today announced that the MechWarrior 4: Black Knight Expansion Pack will be available in retail locations throughout North America this Fall. Building upon the critically-acclaimed, best-selling MechWarrior 4 franchise, players will get new 'Mechs and vehicles, more ways to modify their 'Mechs, several new multi-player modes, and a new single-player campaign where players will become a Black Legion mercenary fighting for House Steiner.

Microsoft has recruited the expertise of Cyberlore, creators of Majesty and the WarCraft 2 Expansion Pack, to develop the MechWarrior 4: Black Knight Expansion Pack. Cyberlore and FASA Interactive have been working closely together to push MechWarrior 4 to new heights.

"All of the fan feedback practically demanded an expansion pack," explained Dave Luehmann, Head of FASA Studios. "So when we were looking for a partner to help us develop our vision for Black Knight, Cyberlore really impressed us with their passion for MechWarrior and the expertise of their development team."

In addition to the new 'Mechs and vehicles on the way, MechWarrior 4: Black Knight also introduces a new Black Market mode which will give players more options when upgrading their 'Mechs. MechWarriors are no longer limited to salvaged equipment from previous battles, and can now trade to get the parts they really need. New multiplayer modes include Absolute Attrition, Strongholds, Siege Assault, Giant Killers and Clan vs. Inner Sphere.

Strategy First and Playnet.com announce the release of the Mac version of WWII OnlineT

Montreal, Quebec. June 14th, 2001 - Strategy First announced today that it is publishing the Mac version of WWII OnlineT scheduled to ship to stores nationwide July 10th, 2001.

"Strategy First is very pleased to be publishing both the PC and Macintosh versions of WWII OnlineT," says Don McFatridge, President of Strategy First. " It is one of the first games of its kind to be available for Mac users. Now, they too will be able to take part in this unique gaming experience."

"Everyone here at Playnet, especially the development and production teams of Cornered Rat Software Studios, are excited for the Macintosh users who can now enjoy the fun and immersive gaming experiences of World War II OnlineT", says Jim Mesteller, President and CEO of Playnet, Inc. "Now both Macintosh and PC gamers can join the war effort for their side of choice, even as members of the same organized squad."

About World War II OnlineT

Since the game's release in early June, players throughout North America have entered the WWII OnlineT boot camp, testing their skills at driving a tank, piloting a plane, and fighting on the frontlines.all in preparation for the biggest online war of the year!

WWII Online: BlitzkriegT, the first truly cross-genre massively multiplayer online game, is setting a new trend in the gaming industry, offering players a combination of first person shooter, simulation, role-playing and strategy styled game play all in one unique gaming experience. Players from around the world will be able to play side by side in a truly persistent environment where battles are fought 24 hours a day, every day of the year! Over the course of its development, WWII OnlineT will implement multiple interconnected theaters representing the global conflict of WWII. Each theater will be thousands of square kilometers in size and have the capacity to handle thousands of combatants at one time. The theater to debut in WWII Online'sT first release will be Western Europe in 1940 (Blitzkrieg). All of the combat theaters will follow along the historical time-line of the war, with North Africa, China Burma India, the Russian Front in '41 and others to follow.

Both the PC and Macintosh versions of WWII OnlineT will be distributed throughout North America by Infogrames.

GameSpot has posted another E3 movie, this time featuring some in-game footage from Irrational Games' upcoming superheros tactical adventure RPG, Freedom Force. The movie weighs in at around 30MB and available in both downloadable and streaming formats.

This is like Blizzard patching the original Diablo with v1.09, but amazingly BioWare and Interplay have released the final patches for MDK2, their three-way third-person shooter that was released last year. The patches add Force Feedback support as well as a few minor changes, and four types: US/Canadian retail patch (1.4 MB), European retail patch (891 KB), OEM patch (1.2 MB), and Demo patch (742 KB). Patching a demo? Wow, talk about interest of quality in old products. By the way, you should also be able to upgrade with the in-game updater.

Microsoft today announced that the MechWarrior 4: Black Knight Expansion Pack will be available in retail locations throughout North America this Fall. Building upon the critically-acclaimed, best-selling MechWarrior 4 franchise, players will get new 'Mechs and vehicles, more ways to modify their 'Mechs, several new multi-player modes, and a new single-player campaign where players will become a Black Legion mercenary fighting for House Steiner.